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1979 Angels Week 19: Dan Ford hits for the cycle

Ford won AL Player of the Week

By Eric Stephen
California Angels v Baltimore Orioles Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Back in 1979, the Angels took care of business last week, winning a pair of series over also ran teams, going 4-2 against the Athletics and Mariners.

The star was outfielder Dan Ford, who was red hot at the plate. He took home American League Player of the Week honors hitting .519, which was even more remarkable considering he began last week 0-for-5.

Ford ended the series in Oakland going 4-for-4 on Wednesday, then hit for the cycle on Friday in a 14-inning loss at home to Seattle. Ford in that game was 5-for-7 with two doubles, a triple, a homer, three runs scored, and two RBI. His triple in the 12th inning gave him the cycle, the third time in Angels has done so. His manager Jim Fregosi had the first two, on July 28, 1964 against the Yankees (at Dodger Stadium) and on May 20, 1968 against the Red Sox in Anaheim.

Ford was also the third Angels player to have two straight games with at least four hits, joining Lee Thomas (1961) and Fregosi (1966). Ford followed that up with a double, a single, and three RBI in Saturday’s win over the Mariners.

After beginning the week hitting .286, Ford’s 14-for-27 spurt put him at .301 after Sunday’s game, giving the Angels seven regulars hitting .292 or better on the season. No wonder they lead the majors in runs scored.

Ford is the third Angel to win Player of the Week honors this year. Nolan Ryan did so for the week of April 16-22, and Don Baylor did the same from July 2-8.

The week could have been merely a break-even one for the Angels, but trailing 3-0 in the ninth inning against Seattle, they pulled off a stunner. Baylor and Willie Aikens singled against starter Rob Dressler to open the frame, then Brian Downing singled home a run against reliever Randy Stein.

Rick Miller reached on an error to pull the Angels within one, then Joe Rudi walked with out out, setting up Rod Carew for a walk-off, two-run single to center field for the 4-3 win.

Weekly summary

4-2 record
36 runs scored (6.00 per game)
24 runs allowed (4.00 per game)
.677 pythagorean record

Year-to-date summary

67-51 record
643 runs scored (5.45 per game)
522 runs allowed (4.42 per game)
.594 pythagorean record (70-48)

AL West standing: 1st place, 3½ games up on Minnesota

Game results

Up next

The Angels continue the homestand, welcoming the Tigers and Blue Jays to The Big A.

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